Sainz clinches victory in Singapore GP amid Mercedes' late charge

Carlos Sainz clinched Singapore Grand Prix victory in a strategic masterclass, overcoming a late charge from Mercedes' George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Sainz led from pole position, while teammate Charles Leclerc played a crucial role in Ferrari's tactical battle by covering the pit stop gap despite compromising his own result.

Sainz managed his tyres perfectly throughout while Leclerc maintained position in the early stages, preserving a pit stop gap for the leader.

Leclerc dropped down the order amid the safety car shuffle after Logan Sargeant's crash, finishing fourth having effectively been "sacrificed" per Mercedes' own admission on team radio.

With Leclerc unable to challenge for the win, Ferrari focused efforts on Sainz. The Spaniard drove a tactically flawless race, twice backing off to gift Norris DRS when Russell and Hamilton closed in on fresher tyres.

This allowed Norris to valiantly fend off the Mercedes charge as a rear guard for Sainz. Russell crashed out on the last lap when hitting the wall attacking Norris, sealing the win for Sainz.

Sainz praised Ferrari’s “very good strategy” and his own tyre management in preserving victory.

Leclerc graciously accepted the team’s decision, stating “the win was Carlos’ today” while promising to bounce back.

The Mercedes duo had stopped during the VSC for fresh mediums and closed rapidly on Norris late on.

But Sainz’s tyre tactics and Leclerc’s earlier efforts allowed him to hold on despite Mercedes’ blistering two-second per lap advantage.

Behind the leaders, Verstappen recovered from 12th to finish fifth after an alternate strategy gamble.

His decision to run mediums during the safety car period gained places before charging on hards.

Perez also rallied from last to finish eighth after an early collision that ended Yuki Tsunoda’s race and earned Perez a post-race penalty.